Stopper



Aug. 23, 1.949. L A- PAYNE 2,479,862

s'roPPER Filed July 8, 1946 l /lniiinlvn INVENTOR. LAWRENCE A [04m/E #Tra/ems Y Patented Aug. 23,A 1949 UNITED,Y 'S'IAT'IEIS'd PATENTV OFFICE v 2,479,862 l Y Y n. ha.

s'rorrnn Lawrence A. Payne; Seattle, Wash. Application July s, 1946, serial No. 682,003

This invention relates to Stoppers and it has reference more particularly to improvements in Stoppers in general, such,for'example, as those designed to be applied toedrains in sinks, basins and the like, or to jugs, bottles, pipes or tank openings, or to other devices where it is desirable to to use a stopper that may be quickly and easily applied or removed.

It is the principa1 object voit' this invention to provide improvements in Stoppers of the kind above mentioned that may be diametrically expanded after being applied to an opening, thus to insure tightness and security.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a stopper that will adapt itself to openings of various sizes within certain limits by reason of the expandability of the body portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stopper that will be diametrically expanded in encircling bands adjacent its opposite ends, as well as in a band encircling the medial portion, thus to insure better holding eiect and effective sealing.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of parts, in their combination and relationship, and mode of use, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved de tails of construction, the preferred forms of which l are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stopper embodied by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an axial cross-sectional view of the stopper as applied to an opening but before being expanded therein.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the stopper expanded to tighten it in the opening.

Fig. 4 is an axial, cross sectional View of a stopper of an alternative form, and illustrating the expanded bands of the stopper.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of of the outer end disk for the stopper of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a central, cross section of the same.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In its present preferred form, the stopper com prises a central or body portion ID comprised of a tough, expandable and resilient material, such as rubber; said body being of plug-like form, and preferably but not necessarily slightly tapered from one end to the other for easy application.

Applied against opposite ends of the body, respectively, are metal disks I2 and I3. The disk I2, which is applied against that end of the plug 1 Claim. (01.'215-53) `that is to be referred to as the inner end, is of the same over-all diameter of that end, and seats atly against a flat end surface of the body, and this disk has an angularly turned peripheral flange I2 over which an integral lip portion I5 at that end of the plug body extends,` the lip terminating flush with th-e peripheral edge of the ange.

' The disk I3, likewise, rests flatly against that end of the plug body of greater diameter, and referred to as the outer end, and this disk is formed with an angularly turned peripheral portion I3' over which an integral lip portion I 5 at that end of the plug extends. The ange I3' terminates in a flat peripheral rim portion |33: that extends beyond the stopper body and serves as a stop or seat for limiting the extent to which the stopper may be inserted in an opening.

Formed axially through the rubber body I0 is an opening 2U and this is in alinement with center holes 2| and 22 in the disks I2 and I3. A shaft 25 is extended axially and rotatably through the body opening 2U and also through the plat-e openings 2I and 22. This shaft has a iiat head 26 seated against the outside face of the lower end disk I3 and it has a winged turning head 21 xed solidly on its upper end at the outside of the outer end disk. rIhe base portions of this head, at opposite sides of the shaft, are adapted to ride on cam rises 28 and 28 that are struck upwardly on the disk at opposite sides of its center. T-hese cams are so formed that by turning the head to ride upwardly thereon, the disks will be drawn toward each other, thereby diametrically expanding the stopper body.

The inclined peripheral rim portions of the two disks in this expanding operation, causes the overlying lip portions of the stopper body to be expanded, and thus if the stopper is applied to a closely tting hole, the stopper will be tightened therein at both ends as well as in the medial portion. Th-e tightening of the stopper may be to any extent within the limits provided for by the design and extent of the cams. When the head 2'I is turned to a position disengaged from the rises of cams, the body I0 contracts to its minimum diameter and may then be easily removed from an opening.

The expanding of the stopper to greater extent in bands at opposite ends and at an intermediate position, is shown in Fig. 4, but this same action would take place in stoppers like that of Fig. 2.

In the device of Fig. 4, the principal parts; that is, body and end disks, are like those in the device of Fig. 2. However, I have here employed a tightening shaft 25a: that is threaded through a nut 35 that is welded to the top disk. Thus, by rotation of the shaft in one direction, the disks are drawn toward each other, and the plug may be expanded up to a maximum diameter. When it is turned in the other direction, it permits the plug to lengthen and to contract accordingly.

Plugs of this kind may be made in various sizes. dimensions and of various materials. Their application Vforeusefis easy and convenient, and their uses apply to many and various articles;

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A stopper of the character described comprising a resilient, expandable, conicallyta-peredplug v adapted to be applied within an-opening and.

having counter-sunk inner and outer end surfaces, a metal disk applied fiat against tlie-innerl through the plug and disks and rotatably anchored at its inner end in the inner end disk, a

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the -leeoft this: patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Wintherlich May 27, 1902 Mcardfan.Y .,Augrl; 1922 Pfister Dec:.12, 1933 Moeller- Augg.- 4, 1942 Moeller?Y Y May 2,1944

FoRiEGNfPA-'I'ENTS Country Date:v

Germanyaaer.V J 17, 1885 GreatiBritain ...Oct; 18', 1928 Number Number.. 

